City Council on Dec. 8 unanimously directed the city manager to explore financial needs of local nonprofits that assist immigrant communities and asked council leadership to draft a resolution reaffirming support for those residents amid federal immigration enforcement actions.

Councilor Leach moved the directive, saying the action would “bolster what supports and actions that we can to take care of our impacted residents and their families.” The motion asked staff to 1) explore potential funding needs of local nonprofit agencies assisting impacted immigrant communities and 2) work with council leadership to draft a resolution acknowledging the crisis being caused by federal immigration enforcement actions. The council voted 8–0 to approve the direction to staff.

At the supplemental budget vote later in the meeting, council also approved an amendment moving $50,000 from the city’s reserve for revenue shortfall into the council contingency fund. Councilor Leach said the contingency would allow the council to “move quickly and nimbly” to support urgent needs identified during the staff investigation; City Manager Sarah Madari clarified that placing funds in contingency does not itself spend the money — a separate future action would be required to allocate it.

Why it matters: Council members and multiple public speakers said the community faces increased fear and disruption as federal immigration enforcement ramps up, and they argued that local funding could help nonprofits provide legal, housing or emergency assistance. Councilors who supported the motion also flagged tight city finances and insisted the contingency be used only after staff returns more detail on need and mechanisms.

What the council decided and next steps: The council’s directive requires staff to report back with findings and a draft resolution; council members indicated they expect consideration in January. The $50,000 in council contingency is a one-time reallocation from the reserve for revenue shortfall; council staff said the contingency fund has been used in the past for humanitarian crises but that a later formal action will be needed to move money from contingency into programmatic spending.

Who said what: Councilor Leach moved the motion. Councilor Clark, Councilor Groves and others signaled support but emphasized uncertainty about the budgetary impact. City Manager Sarah Madari confirmed the timing and mechanics of budget actions would come in subsequent staff reports. Public commenters urged emergency action and additional support for immigrant families.

The council passed the directive and the $50,000 amendment by voice vote; no roll-call of individual yes votes was recorded in the meeting minutes. The council plans follow-up reporting and a draft resolution before any funds are spent.